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This element represents the amount of annual premiums for property insurance pursuant to an insurance program arranged by the equity method investee.

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Represents the additional number of common shares acquired by the entity during the reporting period.

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Represents the balance held at the close of the period, in number of shares as a percentage of the total shares outstanding.

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Percentage of ownership held in the subsidiary formerly.

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This element represents the aggregate cost of investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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Balance held at close of period in number of shares.

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- Definition

The cash outflow for acquisition of or capital improvements to properties held for investment (operating, managed, leased) or for use.

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The cash outflow to acquire equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities, because they are not classified as trading securities.

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Expenses recognized during the period resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party during the period.

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Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

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Related Person Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 RMR	Jun. 30, 2010 RMR	Jun. 30, 2011 RMR	Jun. 30, 2010 RMR	Jun. 30, 2011 AIC	Jun. 30, 2010 AIC	Jun. 30, 2011 AIC	Jun. 30, 2010 AIC	Dec. 31, 2010 AIC	May 31, 2011 Travel Centers of America LLC	Jun. 30, 2011 Travel Centers of America LLC	Dec. 31, 2006 Travel Centers of America LLC
Related Person Transactions
Business and property management agreement expenses					$ 8,589	$ 8,258	$ 16,874	$ 16,408
Equity method investments, ownership percentage (as a percent)									14.29%		14.29%
The entity owns less than this percentage of an equity method investment									20.00%		20.00%
Amount invested in equity investee									5,209		5,209
Equity method investments, carrying value									5,202		5,202		5,077
Earnings and losses recognized related to equity investments	46	(24)	83	(52)					46	(24)	83	(52)
Annual premium for property insurance									5,773	4,816	5,773	4,816
Capital improvements to leased facilities, funded															35,863
Percentage of ownership formerly held in subsidiary (as a percent)																100.00%
Additional number of common shares acquired (in shares)														1,000,000
Cost of additional investment			$ 5,690											$ 5,690
Number of common shares owned (in shares)															2,540,000
Shares owned as a percentage of total shares outstanding (as a percent)															9.10%
Number of Managing Trustees who is a Managing Director															1